Here’s our guide to improving, maintaining, and enjoying your house. With information on everything from home technology and reducing energy costs to outdoor living and working from home, these articles will help you care for your house and get the most out of living there.
After a long exile, faux flowers and greenery seem to be making a home decor come back, according to the latest episodes of TV decorating shows. Real plants and their faux counterparts are both pricey so why not spend your hard-earned money on something that doesn’t wilt after a week or suffer a slow death from… Read more »
Garbage disposals get no respect. Day in and day out, they toil away for us while we shove all manner of things down their throats. Let’s give them a little love with these tips. Today’s disposals are better What your garbage disposal can handle depends on the quality of the unit. If you live in… Read more »
Homeowners generally put time, money and energy into front landscaping that gives their homes great curb appeal or backyards that allows for entertaining in style. But the side yard is often a forgotten netherworld littered with garbage cans, hose reels, and half-hearted landscaping. There’s untapped potential here, so let’s transform that space from awkward to… Read more »
High humidity in a home is uncomfortable and can pose health risks. Would using a dehumidifier in your house make sense? Let’s wring out the facts. Reasons to use a dehumidifier Besides being uncomfortable, high humidity fosters the growth of mold, bacteria and dust mites. A dehumidifier reduces the air’s moisture content, helping prevent these… Read more »
Working from home usually requires a laptop computer for portability and productivity. But it doesn’t take long before skin oils, dust, hair and gigabytes of bacteria build up on the device’s exterior, inside the keyboard and on your mouse. Let’s keep your laptop clean and protected during the coronavirus outbreak. What you’ll need To clean… Read more »
The U.S. Department of Justice estimates between 2 million and 3.7 million homes are burglarized each year. Is a security system enough to keep your home safe? What else can homeowners do to protect their homes and belongings? Check our extensive list of safety measures from law enforcement and insurance experts. Home security systems Security… Read more »
Nearly 20 percent of today’s American households are multigenerational. A multigenerational household is defined as two or more adult generations living in one home or grandparents living in the same household as grandchildren younger than 25. The lifestyle can be positive for all concerned, but multigenerational living presents certain issues. Before you add that in-law… Read more »
Composting is a hot topic these days with lots of coverage in home and garden media regarding its far-reaching benefits for the earth as well as your own backyard. But what exactly is composting, and why should you do it? Here’s a quick primer spelling out the benefits, how to make it, and more. What… Read more »
After purchasing a new home and moving in, most new owners rush to buy new furniture to fill empty rooms. While those pieces may look just right in the showroom, they often lose their appeal when delivered. Here are seven tips for buying furniture that’s just right for your new home. 1. Budget Deciding on… Read more »
Summer’s merciless heat and winter’s icy temperatures make it hard to set your thermostat without breaking the bank. Here’s how to keep both your home and your wallet comfy. What the experts recommend Energy experts say the optimum in-home temperature is 78 degrees in summer and 68 in winter, at least during the hours when… Read more »
For allergy sufferers, some of life’s greatest pleasures can bring pain. Spring brings warmer temperatures and beautiful colors but also an explosion of pollen. Cats and dogs make warm and loving companions but may also make your sinuses miserable. The moisture left behind after a soothing hot bath can lead to mold. Allergens are everywhere,… Read more »
Junk mail is relentless. For every piece of mail worth keeping, it seems there are 10 that aren’t. But there are ways to stop, or at least slow, the flood of junk filling your mailbox. Here’s how. Annoying and potentially damaging Advertising mail serves a useful purpose by putting marketing messages into the hands of… Read more »
Decorating trends come and go, often returning yet again with a reinvented look. So how do you know which trends to keep and which to discard? Keep reading for some thoughts and tips. Decorating trends to discard For many years, kitchen remodels included elaborate vent fans over the stove. However, fans were never intended to… Read more »
Container gardens are a smart way to add seasonal color to a home’s porches, decks, and patios. They’re easy and quick to assemble and relatively affordable. Take care to choose the right pot as well as pick the right plants to achieve your desired look. Here’s a quick tutorial. What is a container garden? A… Read more »
Homeowners associations, or HOAs, provoke strong feelings in some residential developments. Avoid conflicts with goodwill gestures such as these. Understanding the HOA’s purpose and structure An HOA is an organization of the owners in a condominium complex, townhome development or subdivision. These organizations allow property owners to govern their neighborhood in a way that protects… Read more »
Adding a storm or screen door to your home’s entrance allows you to enjoy the outdoors while keeping unwanted elements out. Let’s look at the options. Let the good in, keep the bad out An outer storm or screen door allows you to secure your home’s entrance while leaving your standard door open. The natural… Read more »
Homes built between 1978 and 1995 often have plumbing made of polybutylene, a leak-prone material that is no longer used in construction. What is polybutylene, what problems does it present, and what does replacing it entail? How poly-b plumbing came to be Polybutylene, or “poly-b,” pipes and fittings were hailed in 1978 as a terrific… Read more »
Electrical malfunctions are the top cause of large residential fires, and electrocution deaths are frighteningly high. Electricity powers much of our modern lives but is a potentially dangerous resource that must be used properly to avoid danger. Taking precautions can help you enjoy this valuable resource safely around your home. The shocking numbers More than… Read more »
Appliances, furniture, mattresses, housewares, winter apparel, cameras, big-screen TVs and accompanying home-theater equipment are all marked down in February, making it a great month to score deals on home-related purchases. TVs and accessories Fueled by the Super Bowl, January sales on big-screen televisions, speakers and other home-theater products tend to spill over into early February… Read more »
Urban living offers conveniences such as nearby shopping, entertainment, and public transportation. The flip side of those amenities is the noise they bring. The same holds true if you live near a highway or airport. Installing sound barriers both inside and outside your home can bring much-appreciated peace and quiet. Let’s learn more about home… Read more »
